Exam Decides Life Path for Students

Every year, the weekend nearest to June 10th is when the National College Entrance Examination is held in China. More than 1 million people took part in the exam this year, with 64 thousand signed up for the exam in Guangzhou alone. Though 80% of them will be eligible for further education after the exam, only 10% will qualify for the top schools.

The National College Entrance Examination is considered very important by most students in China - the exam will decide the paths of their lives in some respects. Preparations for the exam usually begin a year in advance. During that time families will provide the most nourishing dishes and indulge the students as much as possible in order to encourage success.

Before the National College Entrance Examination:

- Students try to remain calm and confident  
[More Photos]

 

 

Before the day of the National College Entrance Examination students check for their examination rooms carefully. They needed to know clearly which floors and which rooms to go to. In addition, students checked travel times, traffic conditions and the local environment near the testing center.

 

 

Students prepared for the exam up until the last minute. They reminded each other to bring extra clothes in case of rainstorms, and some even booked hotels near the examination locations.

 

 

Before the day of the big exam, teachers and students from the Guangzhou No. 6 High School do a "high five" in order to boost their confidence. The exam is very important, and a relaxed mental state is required to do well.

 

 

On the first day of the exam, at the gate of the Affiliated High School of South China Normal University, parents and and teachers offered encouraging words to students before they entered the exam rooms.

 

 

 - Encouragement from teachers, classmates and parents  
[More Photos]

 

 

The child of a teacher from Zhixin Middle School also took part in the exam. The teacher wore a red dress to wish her child and the other students good luck.

 

 

 

This student has been recommended for admission to a University. He wore a T-shirt covered with his classmates’ signatures in order to encourage them to continue fighting to get in Universities themselves.

 

 

This student, the last one to enter the exam room, receives encouragement from teachers.

 

- Love from home  
[More Photos]

 

 

The student sitting in the wheelchair is from No. 7 Middle School. He hurt his leg by playing basketball. Here, his parents escort him to his exam room.

 

 

Home-cooked meals are the most delicious and nourishing. At noon, many parents brought love and food from home to the students.

 

 

A warm hug from parents and teachers is the best encouragement for students.

 

 

After completing the English part of the exam, a student hugs her mother happily. Only one part left…

 

 

- Student perseverance    
[More Photos about the students after the exam]  
[More Photos about the students in rain] 

 

 

Heavy rain could not stop the students from pursuing their dreams.

 

 

 

No matter how nervous they felt about the exam, students kept calm. In accordance with the title of this years’ composition, “Do not Say ‘No’ Easily”, these students would not give up.

 

 

The tests were difficult. After parts of the exam, many students struggled to cope with the challenge.

 

 

After the National College Entrance Examination:

- Laughter, relief and graduation
[More Photos about their laughter]  
[More Photos about graduation]

 

 

The exam completed, everybody relaxed, laughed and celebrated.

 

 

After the National College Entrance Examination, students from Guangzhou No. 2 Middle School held a specific commencement, writing their wishes on each others’ uniform.

(By Luna Yang and Stephen Roach)

Source: Lifeofguangzhou.com

Editor: Chen Minjie